Study of CT Scans and Aortic Measurements

The ability to predict and prevent is a life-saving approach and our summer medical student Mehar Birjal has spent months analysing CT scans to discern the measurement at which the aorta may dissect. Read on:

Mehar Bijral, a fifth-year medical student from UCL, was chosen for a £1000 studentship this summer. For six weeks from 11 July, Mehar worked closely with Dr Saeed Mirsadraee, Consultant Cardiothoracic Radiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital. 

Mehar’s project involved analysing CT Scans from hundreds of Marfan syndrome patients. Measurements of the aortic wall are held on a database awaiting analysis. There are three groups; patients with no aneurysms (control group); patients with enlarged aortas (in both width and length), who have not dissected; and Marfan patients who have dissected and been operated on to strengthen the aortic wall. This study should help answer the question; "Are there any aortic measurements which predict aortic dissection?" 

Obviously, such a report would help the surgeons operate just before the aorta dissects, thus saving lives. Medical student Mehar will report his findings at our Annual Patient Information Day online on Saturday 12 October.